Little Catch Up

So it's been about a week and a half since my last update.  Oops! :)  Asa and I took off to Tennessee for a quick visit with family before Anna Reaghan arrives.  Her arrival should not not be imminent, but May is the last month I'll be able to travel home and it's full of all sorts of things going on back home that wouldn't make it possible for Mom to come get me (and we're saving Matt's time off for those early days and the holidays).  She graciously came to retrieve us :), and we had FUUUN playing with cousins and one of Asa's little friends while we were in town. :)

We drove down on Thursday, and Asa was amazing in the car.  He is usually awfully easy-going for how long he is strapped to a car seat.  He's much more patient than I am--I wiggle and change positions constantly.  He never made even one sound that was remotely fussy sounding.  Incredible.  The drive took up most of Thursday, and on Friday we tried to get Asa back into some kind of routine after being thrown off in by the car trip.  We played outside a LOT and soaked up the beautiful Tennessee sunshine and spring time.  Asa and I even accidentally had some rosy cheeks by the end of the day!

On Saturday Joy hosted a sweet gathering of my mom's closest friends and a few of my friends who still live in town to celebrate Anna Reaghan.  I have never seen so much PINK in my life!  I crack up and just how different this whole girl baby thing is from a boy baby... especially when it comes to clothes. :)  Everything was incredibly thoughtful and the food was delicious (Joy's strawberry cake is amazing!), but the best part was seeing sweet friends who've known me and prayed for me for so long.  I am so thankful, especially living far from home, to know we have an army of prayer warriors supporting us--even states away. :)

G-Pa played with Asa at home during the baby shower.  They played outside at the water table and got soaked! :)  One of Asa's uncles and a cousin came over to play during the shower as well, and I came home to find Asa alllll snuggled up in G-Pa's lap reading books (and in warm, dry clothes).  It was a precious sight. :)  We got the Bobe's down for a nap, and later in the evening Mimi came over (my mom's mom) for dinner on her very birthday!  What a special lady to share the spotlight of the day with me.  Our whole family party for her was on Sunday, but we still wanted to do something special on her very birthday. :)

On Sunday we got to worship at Cedar Springs and then have lunch with Brad & Joy and 2 of Asa's 4 Tennessee cousins.  Asa actually ate as soon as we got home, and he played just long enough to see his cousins when they arrived after their church service.  Then he was off to bed so he could be pleasant for the evening's birthday festivities. ;)  Before the party we hopped over to my friend Rachel's house so we could catch up and Asa and her daughter Caroline could play.  Caroline was so sweet to share everything in her playroom and Asa was mesmerized by her kazoo. :)  Before we left, we played in her backyard and the kids had a few turns climbing up and sliding down the slide and a few pushes on the swings. :)  All the fam came over that evening for yummy and fun grilled out birthday dinner in honor of my grandmother.  I couldn't believe how all the cousins have grown!

On Monday and Tuesday we had more fun cousin time.  I'm so glad we got to see ALL my family while we were in town, even though it felt like a quick trip!  All the cousins are so sweet to Asa, and he just LOVES seeing them and copies whatever they do--he definitely came home with some new tricks to show Daddy. :)

Wednesday was spent back in the car driving to Ohio.  Thankfully we had good weather, no car or road problems, and a cooperative traveler again. :)  It's been fun to show Matt all our PINK!  Mom stayed with us an extra day on this end so she wouldn't have to turn right around and drive back to TN by herself with basically no break.  We had a leisurely day on Thursday and took care of a few minor errands before Asa showed G-Ma the huge park that's just a short distance from our new house.  He loved going down the slide on the toddler playground and looking at the different structures (and giant tires) on the big kid playground, though he's not too sure of baby swings (he prefers the Fisher-Price kind that's very secure to the round baby swings at a park--those garner his "serious Asa" face).  He loooooooved being "side! side!" (outside!)  He isn't going to know what to do with himself when it warms up here in Ohio once and for all after being cooped up in the house all winter! :)

This morning we had a check-up with my doctor.  I'm 28.5 weeks along (29 on Monday).  Time is absolutely flying!  I had the glucose tolerance test.  Maybe I'm just naive, but I passed with flying colors with Asa, so I'm not anticipating a problem.  It was a quick appointment as we have been so thankful to have another smooth, complication-free pregnancy.  We have switched from appts. every 4 weeks to every 3 weeks now and will return for another appointment on May 6 (31 weeks), then one 3 weeks later (34 weeks), then 2 weeks later (36), and I think we switch to every week at 37 weeks.  I can't believe we're at the point of going more frequently!  The staff is always really friendly to Asa which I appreciate.  I mean, goodness, they're in the baby business, but I know most people don't bring their little ones with them.  They were super sweet to him today as Matt got held up at the office and couldn't meet me in time for the glucose test blood draw (he made it in time to hear Anna Reaghan's heartbeat, however ;)), so the nurses and I were working together to keep Asa occupied and distracted as he was a little clingy around all the strangers and Mommy having to do strange things. :)

That about catches you up on us!  I hope to post pictures of Anna Reaghan's room soon.  It's still a work in process as far as details, but we have her bedding in place and there are enough pieces coming together to give you a sneak peek. :)

We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a heart full of joy and worship this week as we celebrate and remember Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

Christ is Risen!